RCMP wound man shooting at dogs in Nunavut community
Police say man in Arviat was using gun stolen from local RCMP detachment
The RCMP said one of its officers shot and wounded a man in Arviat, Nunavut, on Friday who was shooting at dogs with a gun stolen from the local detachment.
Police said they received calls from local residents frightened by a man walking around the community shooting at dogs with a pistol.
Officers began an immediate search and found the man still outside. The RCMP said the man was shot while they were arresting him. The 26-year-old Arviat man has been medivaced to Winnipeg with non-life threatening injuries.
The pistol is the same one that was stolen from the RCMP detachment in Arviat on April 10.
Police are not saying if the man arrested Friday was also responsible for the theft of the gun.
Chief Supt. Steve McVarnock said an Ottawa police detective will investigate the shooting. Other RCMP officers have been brought in to help with the overall investigation and assist in general policing duties in Arviat.
McVarnock is thankful no innocent people, or officers are dead.
"We are very very thankful to the community and residents of Arviat for their support in assisting our members in locating this individual," he said.
Nunavut is a dangerous jurisdiction for police.
In mid-March two RCMP officers in Kimmirut were awoken by bullets, nine in all, being fired at their homes. A couple days later officers shot a man dead in Igloolik. Then in mid-April there was an armed standoff at the Iqaluit hospital.